Music, drama artwork delicious treats! You’ll find it all at the DCTI Holiday Show and Marketplace.

Over 200 students involved! Please bring family and friends to see the art on display, purchase items from our tech students, enjoy some treats, and fill up the auditorium for music and drama performances!

On Wednesday, November 22, TDSB Trustees voted 18-3 in favour of cancelling the School Resource Office (SRO) program. In its news release, the TDSB stated that the decision followed consultations with thousands of students, staff, parents and community members which revealed that while many students had a positive impression of the program, a number of students said the presence of an armed police officer in the schools made them feel uncomfortable, intimidated, watched or targeted.

The School Resource Officer (SRO) program was started in 2008 after the shooting death of student Jordan Manners at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate. It was a partnership between the TDSB and Toronto Police Services aimed at promoting school safety and better relationships between TDSB high school communities and the Toronto police. Initially, police officers were assigned to 30 secondary schools. By 2016, 45 high schools, just under half of all TDSB high schools, had SROs in their schools. This included Danforth CTI.

In August 2017, the program was suspended and all officers were withdrawn from TDSB schools while the TDSB conducted a review of the program. As part of the review, the TDSB consulted all members of its school community (students, staff and parents) about this program through a survey. On September 27, 2017, Danforth CTI sent a letter to all families with a link to the TDSB survey.

According to the TDSB, staff will continue to maintain positive working relationships with the Toronto Police that will ensure a safe, welcoming and inclusive culture in every school. For more information, see:

You won’t want to miss this year’s Annual Community Potluck Shared Dinner on Thursday, November 2 at Danforth CTI. Hosted by DCTI School Council, this event brings together students, families, staff and teachers to enjoy a fun evening with great food and conversation. This year’s event will welcome both the DCTI and Greenwood SS communities.

Amidst robust public conversation in schools and in the media this week, TDSB Director of Education, John Malloy, released the following statement. It clarifies aspects of the recommendations, especially recommendation around specialized programs. It also reports that the deadline for feedback, orginally set for October 31 had been extended to November 20, 2017.

The recommendations will be discussed at the DCTI School Council meeting on Wednesday, October 25. The Enhancing Equity Task Force summary, full report and link to feedback form is available on the TDSB website.

October 24, 2017

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Over the past few days, there has been a very public discussion about the Enhancing Equity Task Force’s draft recommendations. This Task Force was created because things need to change in our system to improve learning outcomes for all students and address disparities that impact our students.

I think you would agree that it is essential that the TDSB ensure equitable learning environments for each and every student. This means ensuring that all students have access – the same access – to learning, opportunities, resources and tools to succeed while keeping our high standard of excellence for all students.

After consulting with students, staff, parents and community members over the past year, the Task Force identified that some disparities exist between and within our schools and, while benefitting some students, may have inadvertently resulted in inequity for others.

The draft recommendations are not final and we invite your input on the recommendations. To be sure we get your feedback we have extended the consultation deadline to November 20. Your voice will help shape the recommendations that will be presented to the Board in December and, will ultimately make the TDSB a better place for all students.

One recommendation proposes phasing out specialized schools, such as a school for the Arts. I do not believe the Board has any intention of closing specialized schools so we have clarified the recommendation by removing the reference to phasing out specialized schools and will, in the revised document, focus on improving access to them.

Parents have also been concerned that specialized programs – such as TOPS or International Baccalaureate – would be phased out from within schools. This was not part of the recommendation and these programs will continue. What is clear is that the TDSB needs to find ways to expand the opportunities that these schools and programs offer.

Changes need to happen to ensure each and every student can achieve high academic achievement and success in school.

If you have not already, please review the Task Force report and recommendations and send us your thoughts and opinions. We value your input to make this happen. Please be sure to provide your comments through our online form so they are sent directly to the Task Force.

A draft report released by the TDSB’s Enhancing Equity Task Force is drawing significant media and community interest with articles appearing in recent days in The Globe and Mail, The Star, and on CBC. In particular, the recommendation which addresses specialized programs is generating the greatest discussion.

The proposed recommendations are offered to the TDSB for consideration of how to enhance delivery of an equitable education by providing direction for resource allocation and developing mechanisms to track progress.

Draft Recommendations

Ensure Equitable Educational Experiences and Opportunities for All Students in All Schools

Ensure Equitable Access to Funding and Resources among Schools

Meaningfully engage Students, Parents/Caregivers and the Community in Building a Culture of Equity in School

Address School Safety, Incidents and Complaints through an Equity and Anti-Oppression Stance

Ensure Equity in Staff Employment, Transfer and Promotion

Provide Equity Training for ALL

Over the past year, the Task Force led a community engagement process to explore what equity strategies have worked and identify where challenges remain. The collaborative effort between the TDSB and communities developed from the decade-old Inner Cities Task Force launched to develop the Model School in Inner Cities program.

The four primary responsibilities of the Task Force are:

Assessing the TDSB’s efforts over the last 10 years to address the impact of poverty, race and class;

Everyone is invited to bring a favourite main dish, salad, side dish or dessert (with a serving spoon) to be enjoyed by all of our school community. Refreshments will be provided by the School Council.

As an Eco-School, Danforth always looks for ways to reduce waste and protect the environment. Please consider bringing your own reusable plates, cups and cutlery.

If you would like to contribute to the success of the annual DCTI School Council Community Potluck on November 2, please consider volunteering. There are many ways to help. Complete the form below, and a School Council member will get you connected!

November 2 Potluck Volunteer Sign Up

November 2 Potluck Volunteer Sign Up

Volunteers are needed before and during this annual event that brings together students, families, staff and teachers to meet one another and to enjoy a delicious meal of shared dishes.

Please submit this form before October 24.

Name
*

Email Address
*

Checkboxes

Support with advanced planning, communications and coordination starting October 20.

Shopping week before the event. Short list will be provided and all purchases will be reimbursed.

Set up on November 2 starting at 5:45 p.m. Preparing food serving area and guest tables.

School Council welcomes all DCTI staff, students and families to share a potluck community dinner on Thursday, November 2 at 6:30 p.m. This annual shared meal is a great time to meet other DCTI families, visit with teachers and staff and enjoy great food and company. Guests are invited to bring any food item to share. To reduce waste, we also encourage everyone to bring along their own plates and cutlery. Beverages will be provided.